Dačić warns about economy, urges "new deal"

Serbia's First Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Dacic spoke in Belgrade on Sunday to send serious warnings about the state of the economy. Dacic, who is also interior minister in the Cvetkovic cabinet, and leader of the Socialists (SPS), called for a new political agreement in the country, "in view of the world economic crisis". Dacic warns about economy, urges "new deal" "The country's and government's presidents and political parties ought to reach an agreement on what to do next year, and tell the citizens in unequivocal terms what they can expect," he told Beta news agency in an interview. According to Dacic, what the Serbians need to hear from their state officials is that "we are in serious financial trouble, and that the economy could collapse". "We need to ask the citizens whether we wish to return to a time of the hyperinflation, or if we'll prevent that with a healthy monetary policy and restrictive budget," he said, in reference to the first half of the 1990s, when the Serbian economy collapsed under the SPS regime. Dacic also said that employers, unions and political parties should gather to reach an agreement, and sent out a message that "no one should think that they can get a raise through strikes and mutiny", because, "the situation is not like that". He also commented on the political scene to say that "elections in Serbia are a regular occurrence", but that "the question remains what would change with elections now", and that it is therefore "more important to make a political appraisal now on who can function with whom". "If there are problems with the functioning [of the government], there can always be a reshuffle without elections," Dacic explained. As for his ruling Socialists, they see the Democrats (DS) as their coalition partner in the future as well, Dacic said, and recommended his party as "a reliable partner and stable factor in any coalition".

Dačić warns about economy, urges "new deal"

"The country's and government's presidents and political parties ought to reach an agreement on what to do next year, and tell the citizens in unequivocal terms what they can expect," he told Beta news agency in an interview.

According to Dačić, what the Serbians need to hear from their state officials is that "we are in serious financial trouble, and that the economy could collapse".

"We need to ask the citizens whether we wish to return to a time of the hyperinflation, or if we'll prevent that with a healthy monetary policy and restrictive budget," he said, in reference to the first half of the 1990s, when the Serbian economy collapsed under the SPS regime.

Dačić also said that employers, unions and political parties should gather to reach an agreement, and sent out a message that "no one should think that they can get a raise through strikes and mutiny", because, "the situation is not like that".

He also commented on the political scene to say that "elections in Serbia are a regular occurrence", but that "the question remains what would change with elections now", and that it is therefore "more important to make a political appraisal now on who can function with whom".

"If there are problems with the functioning [of the government], there can always be a reshuffle without elections," Dačić explained.

As for his ruling Socialists, they see the Democrats (DS) as their coalition partner in the future as well, Dačić said, and recommended his party as "a reliable partner and stable factor in any coalition".